First Remicade

So, I just scheduled my first ever Remicade appointment for next Thursday.
I am excited by the thought that I could start feeling really better soon but scared at the same time.

How long did it take most of you to start feeling better? did it take more then one treatment (i think my second treatment is 2 weeks after the 1st)
did u feel 100% nornal, like how you felt before this DD when the med was working?

Hi, it should take up to 3 infusions for you to notice anything. I have been on Remicade for 5 years. it is a miracle drug for me.

I don't want to discourage you. But I will be having my 5th Infussion of Remicade in September I also take Methotrexate 5 pills weekly and Prednisone 5mg daily and I am still very inflamed and swollen everywhere and in excruciating pain I also have gotten different side effects soars in the inside of my cheeks, fevers, flu like symptoms achy bosy, sinus headches, swollen glands, soar throat, chest pain almost feels like upper respiratory infection keep an eye for any of these as if you get them call your Rheumatologist ASAP. I was alo told I would feel better after 2nd Infussion but everyone is different I hope you feel better right away. I am still battling this pain and swelling my rheumatologist says some people take time and I also have spoke to other people on Remicade and they tell me it took them 1 to 2 years to feel better. Good Luck and keep me posted on how you are doing. PR Glo  

For the most part I would say I am as normal as I can hope to be with this disease. I went 10+ years sick and undiagnosed so I had A LOT of damage that couldn't be undone. I did have a bowel resection July 07 and that combined with the remicade let's me live a fairly normal life. I am pregnant right now so I have other things going on with my body, but I mostly eat what I want and can do all my normal activities. I still have "d" but I only go 3-5 times on a BAD day..on a normal day maybe only once or twice. I have little to no pain 99% of the time. There are complications that can arise from taking a med such as remicade. I am sure that your GI gave you literature on it or you have done some research yourself. It sounds scary and can be in rare cases, but FOR ME it was worth it. Obviously because of the way it affects your body/immune system you have to be MORE careful about getting sick, ect. I have gotten almost flu like symptoms after every infusion, it lasts about 3 days then I get back to normal. I feel like that's a small price to pay considering the relief I have gotten.

I hope it works as well for you as it has for me, but there is no guarantee with any meds. Be optomistic, watch for signs of problems and stay on top of it, give it time to work without assuming failure and most of all - try to stay positive. I know it's hard with this disease and sometimes it's overwhelming, but as you can tell from reading here...there is almost always someone who has it a little worse than you at that moment.

GOODLUCK!!!